suzie72 Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Our two chickens arrived today, it's so exciting and they are lovely but we are having difficulty enticing them into their eglu. We haven't got any corn or any other treats to tempt them in so is there anything else we can do? Please help soon as we don't want to be up for ages trying to get them to bed, when we want to go too!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Congratulations on the arrival of your chooks! If they still haven't gone in when it gets a bit darker, try opening the egg port andpopping a lit torch into the eglu. They are meant to be attracted to the light and should wander in on their own. If that fails either a small child sent into the run or a long handled broom helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 (edited) Try leaving it a little longer.. mine put themselves to bed first night once it got darker.. if not as already mentioned the torch trick shoud help! Good luck! Edited June 12, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Don't worry, Suz . Mine are going to bed later and later in the evenings now (especially if it's been a nice day). I'm sure your girls will get the hang of where "bed" is soon . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzie72 Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 Thanks for that - good to know that it may happen automatically, we really weren't sure how long it takes them to work out where to go. They are such a source of amusement and we have been out in the garden loads more than usual, just watching them and being fascinated by their funny little movements. Our children are away for the night tonight but I can't wait to see their little faces when they see the chickens tomorrow! Thanks for the advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*mummy_hen* Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Leave them till the light really starts to drop, if they still don't take themselves in just pop them in yourself, we did this for about a week and now they do it themselves....although sometimes they stand out there and wait for me to put them in i don't mind though as like the cuddles!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckbok Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Welcome to the forum. I would echo the advice already given. They will find their way. I know exactly how you feel, it's like bringing home a new baby. I didn't sleep very well the first night we had ours, I was listening out for noises during the night. You'll get used to them and they will get used to you. Enjoy your new chooks, they are great fun!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzie72 Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 Hooray - they're in! Clever girls, I feel so proud! My husband is just sitting on the steps watching them though, so I have visions of them coming straight out again if he doesn't close the door soon! What a relief! Hope all your chooks have peaceful sleeps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Hooray - they're in! Clever girls, I feel so proud! My husband is just sitting on the steps watching them though, so I have visions of them coming straight out again if he doesn't close the door soon! What a relief! Hope all your chooks have peaceful sleeps! Well done! see they know more than we newbies first think! Mine have only just gone out freeranging and they even then they still go to bed at same time on their own! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzie72 Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 AAAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!!!!! Yes, as predicted they are out again! But at least they have had a peek inside their house so they'll know where to go. Let's hope this doesn't go on all night! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 don't worry, they know where to go now and will take themselves off when they are tired! you dont have to shut the eglu door if you dont want to, just as long as the run door is shut. most of us lazy owners are inclined to do it this way as then they can just get up and stuff their faces when they want to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Just give them a little while once in so they get dozy and settle to roost..then if you want to shut door they should stay put! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...